This year’s Spring Camp at CultureLink’s Bike Hub was a vibrant mix of learning, fun, and community. What made it truly unique? Many of our volunteers were former CultureLink clients—youth who participated in our Youth Centre‘s Lunch Program at St. Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School, and had expressed interest in volunteering with us. We invited them to help guide the young campers through hands-on activities, from mastering the basics of cycling to understanding bike mechanics. But what made the experience extra special was the sense of mutual growth and connection that developed between the volunteers and the children.

Over the course of the camp, some children learned how to ride a bike, and all of them learned basic bike maintenance skills. They explored concepts of reuse and recycling, through arts and crafts activities and by watching the Bike Hub team give new life to old bikes. They learned about safety, with lessons on proper riding techniques and protective gear. By the end of the camp, each child got to choose a bike to take home—an empowering moment for many who had never owned one before.

“I learned a lot from them”

For the volunteers, this was more than just an opportunity to teach. As they guided the kids through each challenge, they found themselves learning, too. From new friendships to unexpected lessons in patience, teamwork, and joy, the experience was a two-way street.

By the end of the week, the camp had become a place of growth, not just for the children but for the volunteers as well. Everyone left with new skills, new friends, and a sense of accomplishment that went beyond the simple act of riding a bike.

Videographer: Henry Mak